Skip to content
Paddling to Marsh's Falls, Oxtongue River in Muskoka
Scott and I paddled to Marsh's Falls on the Oxtongue River last summer, and it quickly became a favourite route that I knew I'd want to do again.
It's calm, it's quiet, and it winds you through the forest to a little waterfall that feels like a reward for the paddle it takes to get there.
Getting on the Water
We launched right from the beach at the cottage where we were staying, but you don't need a cottage to do this one. There's also a public beach in the town of Dwight where paddlers can access Lake of Bays.
Finding your way there
- Launch from the public beach in Dwight, or from any waterfront access point on Lake of Bays
- Follow the eastern shoreline until you reach the mouth of the Oxtongue River
- Settle in for just under 4km of calm, meandering water through the forest
- Marsh's Falls comes into view at the end of the river
From there, follow the eastern shoreline until you reach the mouth of the Oxtongue River, then settle in for just under 4 kilometres of calm, meandering water through the forest.
Keep your eyes open for beavers along the way. There are plenty of them tucked into this stretch of the river, so paddle quietly and you'll have a good chance of spotting one, especially in the early morning or around dusk, when they're most active.
Beavers are shy by nature and would usually rather avoid you than confront you, but they're also fiercely protective of their lodges and dams. A loud slap of the tail on the water is their way of sounding the alarm, both to warn off anything nearby and to alert other beavers in the area. We actually had one slap the water as we paddled by, our cue to keep our distance and give it plenty of space rather than paddle in for a closer look.
Reaching the Falls
At the end of the river, Marsh's Falls comes into view, and it feels like such a rewarding little destination after winding your way through the trees.
We did this paddle around sunset, and the soft evening light made the whole route feel extra peaceful and special. If you can time your trip for that golden hour before dusk, I can't recommend it enough.
Reaching the falls is only half the adventure. You still have another 4 kilometres to paddle back through the river and out onto the lake, so leave yourself enough daylight and energy for the return trip. If you're paddling toward sunset like we did, plan your timing carefully so you're not finishing the last stretch in the dark.
Where We Stayed
We stayed at the Muskoka Waterfront Retreat, and it was lovely, with a beautiful beach waterfront that's great for launching right from your own doorstep.
Where to Eat and What Else to See
If you're in the area, you have to try Tristan's Tasty Eatz closer to Huntsville. There are also lots of other great spots to eat around Huntsville itself.
If you're looking for a great spot to hike, check out Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve. It's incredibly instagrammable and genuinely beautiful.
Honestly, I could talk for days about the Huntsville area. It's one of my favourite places in Ontario, and I'll have to do a whole separate blog on it soon! Stay tuned :)
With love from the Valley,
Lana
